Upper-feed and button-hole attachment for sewing-machines



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J. W. BLODGETT; UPPER FEED AND BUTTON HOEE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES. No. 256,871. Patented Apr.25,1882.

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.J. W. BLODGETT.

UPPER FEED AND BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES. No. 256,871, Patented Apr."25, 1882.

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" J. W. BLODGETT.

UPPER FEED AND BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES. No. 256,871. Patented Apr25, 1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. BLODGETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

UPPER-FEED AND BUTTON-HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEW|NG-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,871, dated April 25, 1882.

Application filed March 19, 1880. (Model.) 7 i To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. BLODGETT, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and a citizen of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements -in Upper-Feed and Button-Hole Attachments for Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a full description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, showing the head of a sewing-machine, with the feeding mechanism attached, in connection with a button-hole attachment; Fig. 2, afront elevation of the same. Fig. 2 is a side view of the needle-carrier shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 3, a top or plan of the buttouhole attachment. Fig. 3 represents a portion of plate 0, and is intended to show the enlarged end of slot U 5 Fig. 4, a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 3 3 Fig. 5, asection in line as a; of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a side elevation of the feeding devices arranged to beapplied toabutton-holeattachment; Figs. 7 and 8, i'rontand plan views of the parts shown in Fig.6; Fig. 9,a top or plan view,showing the device when used for an upper feed; Fig. 10, a section showing the button-hole attachment modified; Fig. 11, a detail of the handle shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12, a top or plan view of an eyelet-plate.

The object of this invention is to construct an improved device to be used with a sewingmachine forthe purpose of an upper feed for the cloth or material which is being operated upon, acting directly on the cloth or material, or in connection with other devices which will adapt it for use with a button-hole attachment, consisting of a base-plate, a secondary revolving or partially revolving plate, and. a holding or clamping plate between which and the secondary plate the cloth or material is held, or with other attachments when an upper feed is desirable. V 1 To such end my invention consists in the construction and organization of parts as hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which A represents the feed-wheel mounted on asuitable spindle so that it can be revolved, and

having a series of ,teeth, a, extending entirely Bis an oscillating lever or arm pivoted at its lower end to the axis or spindle of the feedwheel, and extending up a sufficient distance so that its throw will advance the feed-wheel. A

G is a supporting-bar, formed from a single I, 2

piece bent to form two arms at right angles to each other, as shown in Figs. 7 and S, and having at one end a socket or eye adapted to receive the end of the presser-foot bar, and be held thereon by means of a pin, screw, or other I means, that will attach this arm firmly and have it extend out at right angles to the presserfoot bar and bring the other arm parallel with the face of the head, which latter arm at its end carries a spindle or axle, h, on which is mounted the feed-wheel and the lever or arm B. Thefeed-wheel is prevented from having a backward movement by a spring-catch,e, one end of which is attached to the support 0, so that its free end will engage the ratchet-teeth a and hold the wheel on the return movement of the arm B and pawl b. A set-screw, (7,

passes through the support 0, so as to come in contact with the edge of the lever or arm B and limit the movement of the lever, so that a greater or less number of teeth a. will be passed by the pawl b in its return movement and vary the advance of the feed-wheel. An anti-friction washer, g, may be located on the spindle it, between the end of the lever or arm and the support G, to insure perfect freedom of movement and prevent any binding at that point, and a tension-spring, f, attached at one end to the arm or lever B, and having its free end in contact with the washerg, may be used.

D is a long slot formed in the arm or leverB.

E is a pin entering the slot D and havinga freedom of movement therein. By means of this pin the lever or arm B is actuated.

F is an oscillating or swinging plate pivoted at its upper rear corner by a pin or pivot, i,

which enters the head K. This plate swings or oscillates'on its pivot z and carries the pin E, which is secured thereto at the lower forward corner, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and

thereby movement is communicated to the arm or lever B.

G is a bar located between the plate F and head K, and secured firmly at its upper end to the head by a screw and the pivot or pin z, and extending down and having its lower end held against the bar or support 0, and forms a brace to hold the bar firmly in position. This bar G allows more freedom for the plate F when attached thereto, as there is less surface for contact; but the swinging plate might be attached directly to the head K.

H is a pin or arm firmly secured to the edge of the plate F, near its lower rear corner, and

extending out at right angles to the plate toward the head K.

I is a curved spring secured at its upper end by a screw, j, to the rear edge of the head K, and extending down and having its lower or free end engaged with the arm or pin H in such manner that the action of the spring will return the plate after it has been carried forward by the action of the needle-bar. The force exerted by this spring may be regulated by a setscrew, 1 which enters the edge of the head K, and has its head in contact with the inner face of the spring I, at a point below its connection to the head K, so that by projecting this screw a greater or less distance from the head the action of the spring I will be increased or diminished.

J is an arm or lever firmly attached to the plate F, and projecting out from the face of the plate at right angles, at a point near its forward edge, and then forward parallel with the face of the plate, so as to cause its forward end to extend in the path of a stud or projection upon the lower end of the Vertically-reciprocating needle-bar in such manner that the ascent of the bar will lift the arm or lever and swing or carry the plate forward on its pivot.

K is the needle-bar. K is the head carrying the needle-bar and presser-foot bar and other appliances. K is the piesser-bar; K, the cam-lever for raising the presser-bar. These parts K K K K may be of any of the well-known forms of construction of such parts, arranged and operating in the usual manner.

When used as a direct upper feed acting on the cloth or material, the parts already described, in connection with a suitable feedwheel--such, for example, as the wheel S, presently to be described-are all that are essential, in which case the operation will be as follows: The device is elevated by the cam lever K in the same manner as an ordinary presser-foot. The material isinserted,and the feed-wheel made to bear thereon by lowering the presser-loot bar, the slot D allowing a vertical movement of the feed-wheel and its support for this purpose. The deviceis then ready for use. As the needle descends the spring I, through the arm orpin H, will carry or swing the plate F backward, which movement of the plate through the pin E will give a corresponding movement to the arm or lever B, causin the pawl b to be receded over the teeth a the distance required for the amountoffeed. Then as the needle-arm ascends the stud K or any equivalent projection provided on the needlecarrier, will engage the arm or lever J, lift the arm, and swing or. carry the plate F forward, which movement will through the pin E give a corresponding movement to the lever I), and cause the pawl b to advance the feed-wheel and carry the cloth or material forward the necessary distance for the feed. This alternate advancing and receding of the arm or lever B and movement of the feed-wheel forward will continue as long as the needle-bar is operated. By this arrangement a feed is provided, acting on the upper surface of the cloth or material, which will perform its work effectually and in an efficient manner. This device is also applicable as a feed in connection with a button-hole attachment, and the drawings show one mode of applying it to such attachment and the construction of such attachment for use with the feeding mechanlSIIl.

The construction of the needle-carrier and means for reciprocating the same laterally upon the needle-bar in order to cause a like movement on the part of the needle, so as to form the overseaming-stitch, are substantially the same as shown and described in Letters Patent No. 214,613, granted to me April 22, 1879, and hence need not be described at length in this application. It will be sufficient to state that L is the needle-carrier, which is adapted to slide laterally, and is supported by a support, L, that is connected withthe needle-bar.

a" is the pivoted tappet, and s the spring-bar that is held against the same by the screws 8. M is the bar secured to the head K and-havingits lower end curved inwardly, so that at the upward stroke of needle-bar the said bar will comein contact with the tappet and thereby cause the needle-carrier to move laterally, after which the. arm will turn the tappet, and as the needle-bar descends the tappet will remain stationary, ready for the next upward stroke of the needle-bar when it receives the end of said bar M on its other side, whereby the moves me'nt ot' the needle-carrier will be reversed, all as set forth in said patent.

N is a base-plate made ofsheet-brass or other suitable material, and adapted to be attached to the bed-plate X of the machine and to receive and support a secondary plate carrying the material, as shown. One side has an elongation or extension for attachment to the machine. Otherwise it is circular to facilitate the passage of the material. A suitable opening, N, is provided for inserting and withdrawing the shuttle.

0 is a circular plate, of sheet-brass or other material, located and supported on-the plate N. This plate 0 carries the material to be 0perated upon, and has a straight line of travel,

then a partial rotation, and then a straight line of travel, was to work the'button-hole, and a reverse movement in the same directions to set it for the next operation. On one side of this plate 0 are slots or openings w, so arranged as to engage with pins or studs 10 on the plate N when the plate 0 is given a straight line of travel and form guides to keep the plate from turning. These pins to are located outside of the periphery of the plate 0 when such plate is in position to be revolved and form guides to keep the plate from moving out of its center while revolving, and they may form stops to limit the straight line of travel by the edge of the plate opposite the slots to coming in con-' tact with the two studs not in the slots, or by the studs in the slots coming in contact with the bottom or end of the slots.

Pis a rectangular plate of sheet-brass or other material, having straight parallel sides and circular ends, the length of the plate being the :same as the diameter of the plate 0 "and its width the same, or nearly the same, as the distance between the slots 10. This plate P is located .on the plate 0, between and with its sides parallel with the slots to, and is attached to the plate at one end by a socket, p, which receives a post, 0, on the plate 0, and is held from turning by a pin, g, on the plate 0, which enters an opening provided for it in the plate P, allowing only ofa vertical movement in both directions of the plate P for the insertion of the material. The post 0 projects above the top of the socket 1;, and has at its upper' end a head, 0, between which and the top of p is located around 0 a coil-spring, p, the object of which is to hold the plate P down with sufficient force to clamp the material between it and the plate 0.

P is a handle formed from a single piece of metal bent bow-shaped and in the form shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, having its ends pivoted to projections or ears on the plate P, and having a portion with notches or teeth i) cut therein, which portion passes through suitable slots in the plate P, so that the teeth can be forced into the material and hold it firmly while the button-hole is being made, the handle P being held down by the elasticity of its side pieces or arms, which can be pressed and released so as to press against studs or pins on the flanges T of the plate P with sufficient force to hold the handle, the sides of which can be pressed toward each other so as to bring the same more closely together as the handle is lowered, and then released, so that by their resiliency they will spread apart, when one or both will strike under the said pins or studs arranged uponthe flanges T of plate P for such purpose. This serves to hold said handle down. In Figs. 10 and 1l another form of handle is shown. Only one side of this handle is illustrated; but it will be bent or made yoke shape, as in the case of the handle just described, and will be attached at one end to the free end of the plate P, one side or arm of such handle being firmly attached to the plate, while the other end, which is left free, carries a single tooth or point, 12 sufficiently long to pass through a suitable opening in the plate P and enter the material, which tooth is forced into the material and held by an independent spring, 22, secured at one end to the plate P and having its free end engaged with the free arm of handle. A second point, o projects down from the plate P to enter the material and hold it at' that point.

P is a lever pivoted at its lower end to a stud or ear on the plate P, and having at this end projecting flanges which, when the lever is brought to a horizontal position, come in contact with the plate 0 and raise the plate P for the insertion ofthe material, and when the material is inserted the lever P is brought to a vertical position, when the spring 1) will force the plate P down, so as to hold the material in place. By means of this lever P the plate can be easily raised and held in that position for the insertion of the material.

Q is a curved bar attached at each end to a stud or pin, '10, and so located and arranged as to project over the edge of the plate 0 and keep the plate from rising on that side to any great extent without interfering with the movements of the plate.

R is a cogged segment, rigidly secured to the plate P, the point of attachment being one that will bring the center of the segment circle at or near the center of the circle of the plate 0.

S is a cogged wheel mounted on the spindle h, beside the feed-wheel A, and firmly attached to the feed-wheel, and so arranged that its cogs 7a will engage with the cogs lot the segment R and revolve the plate 0.

T are vertical flanges rigidly secured at their lower edge to the face of the plate P, and having on their upper edge a series of cogs, n,with which a pinion, m, attached to the wheel S at its center will engage. These flanges or racks T are arranged parallel with each other and with the sides of the plate P, and extend from each end of the cogged segment to the edge of the plate P, (see Fig. 3,) and are so located with reference to the segment R, the wheel S, and the pinion m that when the pinion passes from the rack the cogged wheel S will engage with the cogged segment R.

U is an oblong opening through the plate P,

having circular ends, and U is a similar opening through the plate 0. These two openings U U coincide when the two plates are in position for use and their sides are parallel with the sides of the plate P, and they extend from near the peripheries or edges of the platestoward their centers, so as to bring the center of their inner ends at the center of the plate 0, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. At the center of the plate N is rigidly secured a circular stud or projection, V, having an elongated slot, t, for the passage of the needle, and projecting up through the slot U, so

as to befiush with the top of the plate 0. This stud or projection V is of the same diameter as ,the width of the slot U, and forms the pivot for the plate 0, and a stop against which the end .P is removed and the plate W substituted therefor, the plate W having a socket, p, and an opening to receive the post 0 and pin (1 and attach it to theplate O; and, if desired, the

lever P may be used for raising this plate in the same manner and for the same purpose as the plate P is raised. This plate W is operated by the cogs of the wheel S engaging with the cogs of the ring B.

On the edge of the plate 0, at the ends of of the slots w, are stops q for striking the end of the bar or guard Q, thereby stopping further rotation of the plate at the proper point for the straight line of travel, which stoppage takes place as the travel commences.

It will be seen that when the plates 0 and P are in the position shown in Fig. 3 neither of these stops q can strike the bar Q. If, now, the said plates are moved in a right line over the plate N until the stops to are entirely out of slots to and the plates then turned in the manner before set forth, they can be so turned until one of the stops q will strike one of the stops at one of the ends of the bar Q, and hence check such revolution on the part of the plates. A reversal of the revolution of the plates 0 and P will bring the other stop (1 in contact with the stop at the opposite end of bar Q, sothatsuch revolution will be arrested and the plates will be in position to be moved into the position shown in Fig. 3.

The plate N is attached to the bed-plate X so that the center ofthe stud or bossVwill be in line with the center of the needle-bar and the center of motion of the plates 0 P will be around this stud or boss, and the wheel S is arranged and located so as to engage the cogged segment R and rotate the plates around their center of motion. The opening U in the plate 0 has the end at which the eye of the buttonhole is formed enlarged somewhat, so as to allow a sufficient play to work the eye in the button-hole. The stud V has a flange on its upper end, which rests in a groovein the plate O around the opening U, so as to hold the plate down. The form of the opening U in the the feed-wheel Ais advanced in the manner before described it will rotate the pinion m, causing it through the rack a to move the plates 0 P, carrying the material, so that the side of the button-hole will be worked. When the end of the rack orflange n is reached the cogwheel S will engage with the cog-segment R and rotate the plates 0 P, during which operation the eye or base of the button-hole will be worked, and when the end of the segment is reached the pinion at will engage with the rack n on that side, and the plates 0 P will be given a straight line of travel, during which the other side of the button-hole will be worked. The plates 0 P are to be adjusted-that is to say,

moved out or in, so as to bring the button-hole in line with the needle at the commencement of the work. This is of course necessary in some instances, since button-holes are frequently of difl'erent lengths, and when adjusted they will be automatically operated while the button-hole is being worked by the action of the pinion m on the racks n and the wheel S on the segment B. When the buttonhole is finished the plates are adjusted for the next operation by the operator taking hold of the handle P and reversing the movements of the plates, bringing them back to their first position.

For working eyelets the plate P is replaced by the plate W, the material placed beneath the plate, the eyelet-opening being at the cen' ter of the opening a, and the plates are given a continuous rotation through the wheel S and the cogged ring B, one complete revolution workingan eyelet.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The feed-wheel A, having ratchet-teeth a and lever 13, carrying the pawl b, in combination with the swinging plate F, operated by the needle-bar i'or oscillating the lever or arm B, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The feed-wheel vA, having ratchet-teeth a, and lever or arm B, carrying a spring-pawl, b, and having a slot, D, in combination with the swinging plate F, carrying a pin, E, and operated from the needle-bar, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The feed-wheel A, having ratchet-teeth a, and lever or arm B, carrying a spring-pawl, b, and having a slot, D, in combination with the swinging plate F, carrying a pin, E, and a projecting arm, J, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. The feed-wheel A, having ratchet-teeth a, and lever or arm B, carrying the springpawl 12, and having a slot, D, in combination with the swinging plate F, carrying the pin E, and having an arm or lever, J, to engage the needle-bar, and a pin orarm, H, to engage a return spring, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The feed-wheel A, having ratchet-teeth a, and arm or lever B, carrying a spring-pawl, b, and having a slot, D, in combination with IIO the plate F, pin E, arm or lever J, pin or arm H, and spring I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The feed-wheel A, having ratchet-teeth a, and lever or arm B, carrying a spring-pawl, b, and having a slot, D, in combination with the spring-stop d 0, plate F, pin E, arm or lever J, pin or arm H, and spring I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. The support 0, secured to the presser-bar, and having a spindle, h, carrying the feedw'heel and its actuating-lever, in combination with the bar G, for steadyin g the support, substantially as specified.

8. The feed-wheel A, and a mechanism for driving the same from the needle-bar, in combination with the cogged wheel S, cogged segment It, and plates 0 P, for giving the plates a half-revolution, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. The feed-wheel A, and a mechanism for driving the same from the needle-bar in combination with the pinion m and racks a and plates 0 P, for giving the platesa direct travel, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. The feed-Wheel A, and a mechanism for driving the same from the needle-bar, in combination with the cog-wheel S, cog-segment R, pinion m, racks n, and plates 0 P, for automaticallyoperating the plates to work the button-holes, substantially as specified.

11. The combination, with the needle and the presser bars, of the ratchet feed-wheel, supported by an attachment to the presser-bar and adapted to be raised and lowered by the same, the slotted vibratory lever, carrying a spring pawl arranged to engage the feedwheel, and the pivoted oscillatoryplate adapted to operate the slotted lever, and provided with an arm independent of the needle-bar, but arranged to be acted upon-at a certain moment bya device upon the said needle-bar, substantially as described.

12. In a button-hole attachment consisting of a bed-plate, N, carrying-plate O, and clamping-plate P, the handle P, having notches or teeth o,for holding the material,substantially as specified. 13. The combination, with bed-plate N, of the carrying-plate O, the clamping-plate P, secured at one end to the carrying-plate, the spring arranged upon a rod secured to the carrying-plate and passing up through the free end of the clamping-plate, and the lever P, adapted to raise the free end of the clampingplate against spring-pressure, substantiallyas described.

14.. The combination, in a button-hole attachment, of the carrying-plate with the bedplate having the guard-bar Q, adapted to hold the carrying-plate down upon the said bedplate, and to constitute at each of its ends a stop that will limit the revolution of the carrying-plate, the said carrying-plate being provided with parallel slots, which, in connection with stops formed by the bar Q, serve to govera the movements of the carrying-plate in a right line to the extent required in stitching a button-hole, substantially in the manner shown and described.

15. The combination, with the bed-plate N and the circular carrying-plate formedwitlr two parallel slots, to, of the guard-bar Q, secured to said bed-plate and adapted to hold down the carrying-plate, the ends of said bar forming stops w, to limit the right-line movement of .said carrying-plate, substantially as herein shown, and for the purpose specified.

JOHN W. BLODGETT.

Witnesses:

O. W. BOND,

B. A. PRICE. 

